LIM College

What LIM College does

LIM College is a private, specialized higher-education institution headquartered at 545 Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan that has focused exclusively on the business of fashion and lifestyle since its founding in 1939. The college serves prospective undergraduate, graduate, and online students through associate's, bachelor's, and master's degree programs in disciplines such as Fashion Merchandising, Fashion Marketing, Visual Studies, Fashion Media, Global Fashion Supply Chain Management, and the nation's first BBA in The Business of Cannabis. Its graduate school was rebranded in August 2023 as the Marcuse School of Graduate Studies with new STEM-designated specializations. Delivery is built on a small-class, experiential-learning model (average class size of 15) supported by an annual student-produced fashion show, a student-run Concept Shop, a study-abroad program, on-campus housing at FOUND Study Midtown East, and a network of 3,900+ internship and employment partner companies.

Revenue is generated primarily through tuition and mandatory fees across on-campus and online programs, with secondary recurring streams from on-campus housing (e.g., $8,513 per semester for a Standard Double at FOUND Study Midtown East) and mandatory student health insurance administered through Gallagher Student Health / United Health Care ($2,350–$2,357 annually). The go-to-market is sales-led through traditional higher-education admissions (campus visits, virtual tours, open houses, an admissions portal, and international-recruitment partnerships such as InUni and the University of Suwon). Core technology consists of off-the-shelf platforms: myLIM (student portal powered by Ready Education), Jenzabar for SIS/financial-aid processing, Handshake for career management, and Everbridge for emergency notifications; no proprietary AI/ML or software products are part of the operating model. LIM holds ACBSP and MSCHE accreditation, complies with FERPA, GLBA, CCPA, GDPR, and Title IX, and was acquired by Japan's Japan Educational Foundation (JEF) on December 1, 2025 while remaining independently operated under its existing name and leadership.

Name

LIM College

Legal name

Laboratory Institute of Merchandising

Website

http://www.limcollege.edu/

Company type

Private

Founded year

1939

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

LIM College is a private Midtown Manhattan institution founded in 1939 that offers undergraduate, graduate, and online degrees focused exclusively on the business of fashion and lifestyle, serving ~2,000 students through small classes, experiential learning, and a 3,900+ employer pipeline.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fashion Business Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114), Junior Colleges (61121)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

International Business & Global Management Schools (EDAHAHAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Private/Independent Community & Junior Colleges (EDAHADAB)

Keywords

• Fashion business education
• Undergraduate degree programs
• Graduate degree programs
• Fashion merchandising studies
• Online fashion degrees

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: LIM College generates primary revenue through student tuition and mandatory fees for undergraduate and graduate degree programs in fashion business, marketing, merchandising, and related fields. Tuition varies by program and residency status.
2. Student Health Insurance: Mandatory student health insurance plan administered through Gallagher Student Health and underwritten by United Health Care. All full-time undergraduate and on-campus graduate students are automatically enrolled.
3. Housing and Residential Life: On-campus housing fees including standard double rooms at $8,513 per semester, with a $725 housing deposit applied toward first semester bill.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

LIM College is a private specialized higher education institution offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs focused exclusively on the business of fashion and lifestyle, including associate's, bachelor's, and master's degrees in Fashion Merchandising, Fashion Marketing, Visual Studies, Fashion Media, Business of Cannabis, and Global Fashion Supply Chain Management. Programs are delivered on-campus in Midtown Manhattan and online, supplemented by career and internship services, an annual student-produced fashion show, on-campus housing, and study abroad opportunities.

Product overview

LIM College is an educational institution specializing in the business of fashion and lifestyle. The college operates as a unified academic institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels, including associate's, bachelor's, and master's degrees in Fashion Merchandising, Fashion Marketing, Visual Studies, Fashion Media, Business of Cannabis, and Global Fashion Supply Chain Management. The institution delivers these programs through on-campus, online, and hybrid formats, with its graduate offerings consolidated under The Marcuse School of Graduate Studies. Supporting the academic experience are experiential learning initiatives including the annual student-produced fashion show, a student-run concept shop, career and internship services connecting students to over 3,900 employers, study abroad opportunities, and student housing at FOUND Study. The institution also provides a student portal (myLIM) for campus community engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Marcuse School of Graduate Studies: Graduate school division of LIM College, renamed in August 2023 to honor educational innovator Elizabeth S. Marcuse. Offers master's degree programs including The Business of Cannabis, Fashion Merchandising, Global Fashion Supply Chain Management, and more.

Products and services

• Undergraduate Degree Programs On-campus bachelor's and associate degree programs in Fashion Merchandising (BBA), Fashion Marketing (BBA), Visual Studies (BBA), Fashion Media (BS), Business of Fashion (BBA), Business of Cannabis (BBA), and related AOS/AAS/BPS credentials, delivered at LIM's Fifth Avenue and Maxwell Hall campuses in New York City for high school graduates and transfer students.
• Graduate Degree Programs Master's degree programs (MPS and MS) including Consumer Analytics (MS), Fashion Marketing (MPS), Fashion Merchandising & Retail Management (MPS), Global Fashion Supply Chain Management (MS), The Business of Cannabis (MPS), and The Business of Fashion (MPS), offered on-campus for working professionals and career advancers.
• Online Degree Programs Online undergraduate and graduate degree programs delivered remotely, providing flexibility for working professionals and geographically constrained learners while earning the same LIM credentials as on-campus students.
• Pre-College Summer Programs Summer fashion programs inviting high school students to experience LIM's fashion education prior to college enrollment, serving as a pipeline for undergraduate recruitment.
• Student Housing at FOUND Study - Midtown East On-campus residential life services at FOUND Study (569 Lexington Avenue) with standard double rooms at $8,513 per semester, $725 housing deposit, professional residential staff, and 24/7 emergency protocols.
• Career and Internship Services Comprehensive career development services connecting students and alumni to LIM's internship and employment pipeline of over 3,900 companies, supporting 96% career outcomes rate within six months of graduation.
• Study Abroad Programs International study opportunities for students to gain global experience in fashion and business markets, complementing on-campus and online academic programs.
• Annual Student-Produced Fashion Show An annual flagship experiential learning event (80+ year tradition) where students plan, design, and execute a major runway show, including the 81st edition in April 2026 under the 'Global Fashion Fusion' theme.
• myLIM Student Portal Student-facing digital platform powered by Ready Education that connects the campus community and provides access to academic records, financial information, billing, and college communications.
• Concept Shop Student-run retail space on campus providing hands-on experience in visual merchandising and retail operations as part of LIM's experiential learning model.
• Mandatory Student Health Insurance Plan Annual health insurance coverage administered through Gallagher Student Health and underwritten by United Health Care, automatically enrolling all full-time undergraduate and on-campus graduate students at $2,350 (2025-2026) and $2,357 (2026-2027).

Quantifiable outcome

• 96% of graduates working in fashion/lifestyle or continuing education within 6 months
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of SuwoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 January 2026LIM College entered into a partnership agreement with University of Suwon in South Korea, establishing a collaborative framework to advance global education opportunities in the business of fashion and lifestyle. The partnership involves jointly developing cooperative educational programs.
• InUnicoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024LIM partnered with InUni to expand opportunities for international students, providing pathway programs and recruitment support for global academic excellence.
• BRAG LIM (Black Retail Action Group)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024LIM College's BRAG (Black Retail Action Group) chapter hosts events like 'Fashion Forum Tailgate' providing students with confidence, community, and career development experiences with industry professionals. Event brings together online and on-campus students.
• Fashion Industry Advisory BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLIM maintains a Fashion Industry Advisory Board composed of senior industry executives including representatives from brands like Free People (Julie Verdugo). Board members participate in classroom collaborations, guest lecturing, mentorship, and industry panel discussions.
• FashiondexminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLIM College partnered with Fashiondex to host Fashion and Sustainability Summit, bringing together professionals from high-profile brands to share sustainability practices and knowledge.
• L'OréalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLIM students participate in L'Oréal's annual BrandStorm Beauty Competition, competing to reconceive the future of beauty with opportunities for resume reviews and career exposure.
• ESRAPminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLIM student teams competed in ESRAP poster competition developing business plans for socially responsible fashion retailers, with LIM students winning first place.
• National Retail Federation (NRF) FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLIM students regularly advance in NRF Foundation scholarship competitions, with multiple students reaching finals in national retail scholarship contests.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Bachelor's in Fashion programs online (e.g., LIM, ASU, SNHU): Online-accredited providers expanding into fashion-business degrees at lower price points; LIM now competes against this category with its own online programs recognized by U.S. News.

Direct peers

• Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT): Public college in NYC specialized in fashion, art, and business; most direct competitor given shared NYC location, fashion-only focus, and admissions overlap with LIM.
• School of Visual Arts (SVA): NYC specialized private college with design, advertising, and fashion-related programs; targets similar creative-industry undergraduates.
• Parsons School of Design (The New School): NYC-based design school with strong fashion business, marketing, and merchandising programs; competes for the same fashion-conscious NYC applicant pool.
• Marist College: Private liberal arts college in NY with notable fashion merchandising and business programs; comparable accreditation tier and apparel industry placements.
• Pratt Institute: NYC private specialized college with strong design/creative industry programs including fashion; comparable tuition tier and NYC location.
• Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD): Specialized private art/design university with prominent fashion, luxury, and business programs; competes for students seeking paid specialty education in creative industries.
• Kent State University (Fashion program): Public university with a flagship fashion school producing merchandising and design graduates for retail employers; comparable fashion-business specialization.

Broad incumbents

• NYU Stern School of Business: Broader NYC business school with fashion/luxury MBA concentrations and digital marketing tracks; offers adjacent degree paths to LIM's fashion-business graduates.

Others

• BoF (Business of Fashion) Education Member Network: Industry-education platform certifying fashion schools with "Badges of Excellence" criteria; LIM's appearance is a quality signal analogous to peer-school endorsement.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/LIMCollege
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/LIM1939
• Facebookfacebook.com/38015985720
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lim-college
• Instagraminstagram.com/limcollege
• TikToktiktok.com/@limcollege

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about LIM College